Broward County Police Blotter Search

Broward County police blotter records come from the Broward Sheriff's Office and numerous municipal police departments serving cities throughout the county. The Broward Sheriff's Office at 2601 West Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas and contracts with several cities. Submit public records requests through the GovQA online portal, visit the Public Records Unit lobby kiosk, or mail written requests to the attention of Erin Foley at P.O. Box 9507, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310. The sheriff's office maintains online arrest search databases, jail booking blotters, and mugshot records accessible to the public through their website at sheriff.org.

Broward Sheriff's Office Records Portal

The Broward Sheriff's Office uses the GovQA system for public records requests. Access the portal at sheriff.org/LE/Pages/Request-a-Record.aspx to submit requests electronically. The portal tracks request status and provides updates as staff process your request. This is the primary method for obtaining police blotter records from the sheriff's office.

The Public Records Unit lobby kiosk provides an alternative submission method. Visit the lobby at 2601 West Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Security screening is required for all visitors. Staff at the kiosk can help you complete request forms and answer questions about the process.

Mail written requests to Broward Sheriff's Office, Public Records Unit, Attention: Erin Foley, RMLO, P.O. Box 9507, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310. Include detailed information about the records you want: incident date, location, names involved, and any case numbers. Mailed requests take longer to process than online submissions but work well if you cannot access the internet portal.

Note: In-person requests entered into the work queue are not fulfilled same-day; reports are emailed to the address you provide.

Accident and Crash Reports

Traffic crash reports in Broward County require special procedures. Wait at least one week after the accident before requesting a report to allow time for officers to complete and file their paperwork. You must submit a sworn crash affidavit with your request. Download the affidavit form from the sheriff's website.

Crash reports can also be obtained through the Florida Crash Portal at floridacrashportal.gov. This state system provides access to reports filed by all Florida law enforcement agencies. Reports cost $10 each plus a $2 convenience fee. The 60-day confidentiality period applies to all crash reports in Florida.

During the 60-day period, only authorized parties can access crash reports. This includes drivers involved, their legal representatives, licensed insurance agents, insurers, law enforcement agencies, and victim services programs. After 60 days, crash reports become public and anyone can purchase them.

Search Broward County Arrest Records

The Broward Sheriff's Office provides online arrest search tools. Visit sheriff.org to access the arrest search database. This system shows recent arrests with booking information, charges, and mugshots. The jail booking blotter updates regularly as new arrests occur and inmates are processed.

Mugshots are available online through the sheriff's public records repository. These photos are taken during the booking process when someone is arrested. They become part of the public police blotter record. Search by name or booking date to find specific arrest records.

The county government also operates a public records portal at broward.org/OpenGovernment/prr/Pages/default.aspx. This GovQA system handles requests for county records separate from sheriff's office records. Different agencies within county government maintain their own records custodians.

Fort Lauderdale Police Department Records

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department operates independently from the Broward Sheriff's Office. The police department serves the city of Fort Lauderdale and maintains its own police blotter records. Contact the Records Division at 1515 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Call (954) 828-5465 for information.

Fort Lauderdale Police Department hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Records are available by mail or in person only. The department does not accept records requests by phone, email, or fax. Visit during business hours or mail your request to the address above.

Accident reports from Fort Lauderdale Police require a notarized sworn statement proving you are an authorized party. Fees are $0.15 per single-sided page, $0.20 per double-sided page, and $1.00 per certified page. Payment is required before records are released.

How to Request Police Blotter Records

To request records from the Broward Sheriff's Office, gather key information first. You need the case number, date and time of incident, location, and names of people involved. The more specific your request, the faster it can be processed and the lower the cost will be.

Submit requests through the GovQA portal for fastest processing. The online system guides you through the required fields and tracks your request automatically. You receive email updates as staff work on your request. This method is more efficient than in-person or mail submissions.

In-person visits require security screening. Arrive during lobby hours Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring identification and information about the records you need. Staff will enter your request into the work queue. Reports are emailed to you rather than provided same-day at the lobby.

Phone the main sheriff's office line at (954) 831-8700 for general information about public records. Staff can explain the process and tell you what information is needed. Actual request submission must be done through the portal, in person at the kiosk, or by mail.

Florida Public Records Laws

Broward County police blotter records are subject to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. This law requires government agencies to provide public access to records unless exemptions apply. The sheriff's office must respond promptly and can charge the actual cost of producing records.

Exemptions protect sensitive information under Florida Statutes Section 119.071. Active criminal investigations remain confidential. Victim identities in certain crimes are protected. Officer home addresses and personal information are exempt. The sheriff's office redacts exempt portions and provides the remainder of records.

Crash reports have special rules under Florida Statute 316.066. They stay confidential for 60 days after filing. Unauthorized disclosure during this period is a third-degree felony. After 60 days, anyone can purchase crash reports through the state portal.

Major Cities in Broward County

Broward County contains several major cities with their own police departments. Each maintains separate police blotter records:

Fort Lauderdale Police Blotter

Nearby Counties

Broward County borders other South Florida counties: